Home » Panic disorders » Obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Understanding obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by the need to perform actions or statements repeatedly with the goal of either stopping anxiety, or relieving it. Unfortunately the need to perform this action causes the person severe stress, either because it takes up a lot of time in their day or because it may be unhealthy for them to do this action.

Read more: Understanding obsessive compulsive disorder


 

Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder

Typical actions that someone with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) may do include:

  •  Having an overwhelming urge to wash the hands hundreds of times a day
  • Checking on something (switching off elements on the stove for example)
  • Avoiding certain things (like stepping on a crack in the footpath)
  • Hoarding things in case they are needed in the future, or perhaps knowing that these items are available when they are required somehow makes you feel more at ease.

People who suffer from OCD are generally aware that what they are doing is irrational, yet they have an overwhelming compulsion to do it anyway 'just in case'.